TWU celebrates the opening of its new Redbud Theater Complex
with “The Fantasticks” April 12-15

March 29, 2007 - DENTON —Texas Woman’s University
will open the new $3.2 million Redbud Theater Complex with
the drama program’s production of the popular musical
“The Fantasticks” April 12-15.

Located
on the Denton campus on the northwest side of historic Hubbard
Hall, the new, state-of-the-art complex features an intimate,
110-seat proscenium theater with tiered seating.

“The
new Redbud Theater Complex will showcase the talent of our
students and faculty, while also serving as a classroom in
which students can learn their craft,” TWU Chancellor
Dr. Ann Stuart said. “The location also is ideal to
bring theater patrons to the heart of our beautiful campus.”

“The
Fantasticks” will be the Redbud Theater Complex’s
inaugural production and performances will be held at 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 12; at 8 p.m. Friday April 13; at 2 p.m. Saturday
April 14 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15. Tickets are $15 for
adults and $10 for students. For reservations or more information,
call the TWU Box Office at (940) 898-2020. A Saturday evening
performance is an invitation-only gala.

After
receiving notice from the state’s fire marshal that
the original Redbud Theater was not up to code and could not
stay open, Chancellor Stuart suggested Hubbard Hall as the
site for a new theater and drama education complex. The 19,000-square-foot
Redbud Theater Complex occupies two former dining halls and
associated lobby space of Hubbard Hall’s main level.

Elements
reminiscent of the original Redbud Theater — including
a full-length undulating wall in the lobby — were included
in the design. A handicapped-accessible entry also was added
at the east end.

The
undulating wall is the organizing element that stretches from
the Complex’s east to west ends. The shape has subtle
references to a theater curtain, the scrim on a stage and
the exterior brick wall that fronts the retired Redbud Theater.
The wall forms a string of public spaces along the windowed
north wall of Hubbard Hall and is adorned with brightly colored
red and orange laminate.

The
Complex features practice rooms, a make-up classroom, conference
rooms and faculty offices, as well a scene shop, a costume
shop and laundry, storage and more. This marks the first time
in the history of the TWU drama program that all of these
elements have been housed under one roof.

The
new Redbud Theater Complex was designed by Bottino Grund Architects
of New York and Austin and is being built by Joe Funk Construction
Engineers, Inc. of Dallas.

While
the Redbud Theater Complex has been under construction, TWU
Drama staged productions at venues in Denton, Dallas, Fort
Worth and even Dublin, Ireland. The Irish production, titled
“The Long March,” also was performed in New York
City’s Greenwich Street Theatre in March 2006.

“We’ve
been fairly resourceful in performing ‘on location’
during the past two and a half years, but for drama to have
a new home is a thrill for us,” Sharon Benge, director
of TWU’s drama program, said. “Walking into the
complex, you are met with bold, highly saturated colors that
give off an exciting energy, which invigorates the students
and should foster increased creativity for our classes and
productions.”

TWU
drama students intern at more than 80 theaters around the
country, and graduates have gone on to work in professional
theater companies including the Dallas Theater Center, Stage
West and the Dallas and Fort Worth Shakespeare Festivals.